Luka Modric believes that Petar Sucic can help lead the next generation of Croatian players to greater heights than any before.

Modric, along with the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic, helped Croatia finish second and third at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively.

Twenty-one-year-old Sucic started in Croatia’s World Cup qualifier wins over the Faroe Islands and Montenegro during this international break, playing alongside Modric against the latter.

Sucic joined Inter from Dinamo Zagreb during the summer transfer window and registered an assist off the bench at the Club World Cup for the Serie A giants.

Modric heaped praise on Sucic after their win over Montenegro, but joked that he hopes the youngster will not play too hard against him in the Milan derby.

“He’s a very strong player and a great guy,” Modric told SportMediaset. 

“We’ve already played together before, and he’s shown his qualities. It’s no coincidence that he’s signed for a top club like Inter. You will certainly get to know him a bit better and see his talent. 

“He can still improve, I enjoy playing with him and I hope that he always continues to improve, even if we will face each other in the derby soon, we will see how he treats me.

“Let’s hope he respects me and doesn’t go too quickly. But for the moment, I’m enjoying playing with him.

“Our generation felt unrepeatable, it achieved incredible results, but there are young players like him who could reach even higher heights.”